For the last 20 years Turkish-Greek Relations have been so bad. We were about to make war for lots of times.You must have been brought up with the propaganda about the other side how they are mad, murderer and untrustable. When did you first meet a "barbarian" Turk?
- When I was six years old...
Did you scare?
- No, because she was my best friend. Her name is Idil Dosan and she is a daughter of a Turkish Diplomat. We went to school together during our all primary, secondary and high-school education. His father was appointed to another country for a while and they returned back. She had been my classmate for 6 years. Then we went to the university in different schools, but finished together in Paris. I like her sister, mother and father as much as mines.
Have your family or friends reacted to this friendship?
- On the contrary, my father supported me to improve this friendship. I have never forgotten, it was Idil's birthday. The tension was going on because of the 1974 incidents. My father was an officer and was always on duty. I had gone to her home. Dad came to take me home, when we were returning home he said:
- "Look daughter, both of you will bring up, maybe you will become the foreign ministers of your countries. You will work for peace and friendship of these two nations. "It has been 21 years, but I still remember what he said word by word.
What were you doing when a crisis and war screams emerged ?
- In 1986 crisis Dad was on duty in the navy again. Holiday finished, the school days began. I did not know what I would do when I met Idil. My parents said:
- "Sure, you will hug her and kiss."When I went to school, Idil was waiting me with a gift box in her hand. There was a peace necklace in the box.
Have you ever had to defend your friend, friendship at the school?
- There was a Greek refugee girl in another class and Idil and she were speaking Turkish. In French school we were far away from Greek Nationalism, Chauvenism and the Official History. It is impossible to understand one another according to official histories. In order to understand one another, we have to listen to the others' stories. There are humans who are very close, nearly the same behind the borders, not monsters.
Have you ever wondered the literature, music of the people who are at the other side of the border?
- At high-school years I used to read the poems of Nazim Hikmet. I read Atilla Ilhan in French.After long years it was a miracle that we met. I like the songs of Sezen Aksu and I am a fan of Tarkan. I think Tarkan is a real star. I have seen the films of Sinan Cetin and Atif Yilmaz. I was honoured that I met with Yilmaz in a film festival in Bodrum.
- You are an actress, a singer and a dance teacher. Which one is first?
- I am a student at the same time. I have still music lessons. I am a soprano and striving to improve my voice. I will try to do three of them at the same time.
What kind of songs do you sing?Rebetiko?
- I have never sung rebetiko before Kayikci. My voice is not good for rebetiko. I do not have a special style, I am singing popular songs. I hope I will have a style after the first album.
Is your role in Kayikci a surpsrise for you?
- Hristina Aleksanyan was first selected for the role. She gave up because of her other projects. When I was offered, I had to give up my theatre project which was so important for my career and accepted the role. "Kayikci" was not only a film for me, but also a chance to do something for our 20 years friendship and common dreams with Idil.
Have you ever had problems in the sets?
- Problems in film sets in Greece are not exceptions. Before I came to Turkey, I thought that we would have more problems. The cast was magnificient and in my opinion they are also good examples for Greek producers.
You mean, there is no gray colour in this pink picture?
- No, there is. I saw an old church in Cesme. Although I am not so religious, I was so sad about the church because no one has looked after this historical building for long years.
People are waiting to see the film. If the film is real, would you follow Evdokia?
- Absolutely yes. You know, it is not so easy that a suburban girl opposes to the cultural environment for her love. I look like serious, but I have a kid soul. I can be as mad as she is. But there is not a marriage in the future for now.
Why?
- My boyfriend is not so brave. I have told her about marriage, but he did not want to hear. So I gave up. He is an investment manager and now he just thinks about his career. But I do not think that I will be with someone except him.
Do people know about "Kayikci" in Greece?
- Although the film is not acroos cinemas yet, everybody knows about it. I was invited to a News Programme after the earthquake, then lots of TVs wanted to interview. Now everybody in the streets asks me when the film will be across cinemas. I said that I would have 3 films and asks which one. They say, "the Turkish one". The film will be acroos cinemas in the meeting of Foreign Ministries of Balkan Countries.
Your 3 films will be across cinemas. You will have a role in the film Tenessie Williams, Rose Tatoo, there are concerts. I think the year 2000 will be yours in Greece...
- (She is laughing) I do not know. I don't want something like that. I never want to be popular suddenly. I want people to like what I do and I like what I do, that is enough. You have to go upsatirs step by step. And you have to know how to go downstairs when the time comes.